Remember, Remember the 5th of November!

Today is November 5th (for a few more hours anyway) which is Guy Fawkes day in England. Guy Fawkes was some dude who attempted to blow up Parliament hundreds of years ago and failed. This happened on Nov. 5th...so, Remember, Remember the 5th of November! Apparently, there's fireworks, burning effigies, and random bonfires in the park. Of course, today is a Thursday, so while there have been fireworks exploding around town, the real party will be held on Saturday night at one of our local parks. We do, you know, live in Oxford where the majority of us are scholarly and brilliant and need to do actual work in the middle of the week :) I'm really looking forward to my first (of many!) Guy Fawkes park bonfire, even if I don't really understand it at all.

Went on a 'ghost tour' with the International Students thingy on Monday night. Was not so much a ghost tour as it was an historical tour of Oxford, at night, when everything was closed and it was FREEZING. But, ended it in the pub drinking Fruli (love.) with two of my favourites. All in all, a good night and it gave us a little time away from studying for....

Our first exam, which was yesterday. To be fair, we really only have 2 exams this term: Marketing (yesterday) and Editorial (which is 90% proofreading...and I LOVE proofreading. Seriously, I do it for fun. Really). Now, don't go thinking this MA programme is a joke, cause believe you me it certainly isn't. Along with our two exams we have a major group project for each course (that's 4 total) due in at the end of term. These projects are: Marketing Plan, Editorial Proposal, Major design of 24 pages of a book...and something else that I should probably be remembering right now for Production.
Anyway, point is that we had our marketing exam yesterday. Last week was 'reading week' so no lectures, but tons of events to attend and lots of emailing trying to get group appointments together. Oh, and lots of people freaking out and studying hardcore for this marketing exam. I felt really good and prepared going into the exam...afterwards, slightly shaken, but all in all I'm sure it's fine ;) After the exam itself, we had about a 15 minute break before we had to meet up for our marketing seminar sessions (blah). 5 of us took this as an excuse to run to the closest flat/dorm room and do shots of Jaeger to congratulate ourselves. I love Uni.
We also, of course, had to celebrate the end of the exam by going out and getting ridiculously drunk. Hit a pub, then went to an Oxford Uni College pub (as I have two lovely friends who either attend or attended Oxford Uni and can get us in). Vodka and diet coke for 1pound70? Hell yeah. Afterwards, we hung out in the cemetary of the college for a bit and then went to the Purple Turtle. A club...apparently Wednesday, although free to get in, is like weird, american punk music night. Kind of a fail...but overall a good time. Met up with a bunch of others from the course and debauchery insued, as normal.

I'm still finding moments in the day where I stop--look around--and say, "I'm in freaking ENGLAND!" I don't know if this will ever stop really. I don't know if I want it to. I don't ever want to go back to the states...I don't think I could actually live in the states again after this. Everyone said that backpacking around Europe would be life changing, and while it was amazing and I'm still so freaking proud of myself for actually doing it (alone, I might add) it was always overshadowed by the fact that I was starting a Master's degree in England after. Now, i'm in week 6 of term one...and yeah, this is definitely the life changing event. I may even not come home for Christmas...kidding. Ticket is purchased and I'm coming, even though I really, kind of don't want to. Sorry :)


Picture above is from inside the St. Edmund's (Teddy Hall) College cemetery. I'm sitting next to someone important, I'm sure.

These places they take you to...

Halloween party was a great success! Lots of drinking, laughing and dancing. Perfect evening. And, very much hungover today...joy. I dressed up as Eponine from Les Mis...it wasn't the greatest idea/costume, but I am so completely rubbish with costumes. No idea why I love Halloween so very much.

I've been sitting here attempting to maybe do some studying and just contemplating life. It's very odd to think of my life now and my 'old' life. With each day it just kind of slips farther away and it's really hard to imagine that I was ever that person. That person who worked in pharmaceuticals, lived in West Virginia (I still do tear up when Country Roads comes on my iPod), basically devoting my life to my relationship, was not in school... in ENGLAND. God, I love England.

I've met a very lovely girl, Bri, who is also leading a totally new life here in Oxford. I think it's great that we are able to move to England (even if it's only for a year...please don't let it only be for a year!) and be the people we're actually supposed to be. Free, Liberated, Opinionated, Smart women. Fantastical.

Ok, I was distracted and now I am not feeling deep or pensive or anything any more. I'll leave you with a picture (horrible) of me as Eponine. Costume fail, as usual...
-Edit- Can't figure out how to put the pic down here...sooo yeah.

Before this river...

Becomes an ocean.

I'm on a George Michael/Wham kick. Can't explain why :)

We are currently in the middle of week 4 of classes. It feels like we've been going for a lot longer. Don't get me wrong, I am LOVING the course and the people I've met. It's just that we've already learned/done/drank so much :) Feels like I've been here for 6 months, or honestly that I've just always been here.
Of course, everyday something happens and I rush home and just want to skype with everyone back home (ok, not everyone...sorry. Just like 3 of you), but I've also made some really good friends here who fill the void. And not to mention I'm back to my fun, sociable self (can I say that about myself...? Sure) that is always up for a good time! haha...slowing down now as the course work picks up.

Saturday night we returned back from Frankfurt, Germany and the Frankfurt book fair. It was AMAZING. A few of us walked into hall 8 (the international/UK/US hall) which was massive and only one of a bunch of halls, and just felt utterly overwhelmed. Sounds naive, but I don't think I realised just how many publishers there were. We were allotted 2 meetings, but I used my fantastic networking skills (yeah...) and weasled my way into 4: Random House, Bloomsbury, New Internationalist (EPIC) and David Attwooll Associates (literary agent). Random House and Bloomsbury were interesting, but kind of broad. I got a lot more out of the small places I visited. Not to mention the fact that we were there for about 8 hours, so we saw a lot, though not everything!
Saturday we were free to do what we wanted and a group of us chose to go to Mainz, Germany to the Gutenberg museum. Mainz was gorgeous and the museum was ok...I just can't get into museums, even when they're about books! We had a great dinner and some apple wine then shot off for the airport.
We arrived back at Heathrow after only a 1 hour flight. That's right, it takes me one hour to get from Germany to England. I love, love, love Europe.

Now it's back to the grind. Work load is picking up for the courses; numerous projects and group meetings to attend, plus our first marketing test which should be a doozy. And, of course, have to keep mastering my networking skills (read: pub quiz, wine socials, etc.).
We're having a Halloween/bday party at the flat this weekend, which should be loads of fun. The publishers are coming out in Force! And, Friday Harper Collins is coming to campus to interview for about 10 work placement slots. This would mean going to London every Monday morning at about 6am...but seriously. Harper Collins?? Totally worth it. Wish me luck!

Tschuss!

24 Candles

Today, I am 24 years old. Today, I am 24 years old and I'm waking up in Oxford, England where I LIVE. Today, I am 24 years old, living in England and single. Today, I am going with all new friends to a tapas bar and having a fabulous night.

It's strange to think how much your life can change in one year, or even one week. Yes, I have been out of the states for almost 2 months. I have seen 10 countries (if you count the Vatican :) ), I have met amazing people, I have moved to Oxford and I'm studying Books in the greatest book capital in the world. I have recently become single after 4+ years of a relationship that seemed like it would be my last. I have spent some hours grieving over this, but then the thought occurs to me: For the past 3 years of your life you've been plotting, scheming, working towards this. Can you really let something so simple get you down? It's not easy to pack up and move to another country...it's not easy to leave someone you love behind. At the age of (now) 24, a 4+year relationship is a major chunk of your life...and it was an important part that I won't forget and I definitely do not regret.
I'm a new me now, however, and I plan to make the most of it in every aspect.

Yes, I'm 24 years old today and I live in Oxford, England and I study books and I've made great friends and already experienced so much. Let the past rest and the future shine :) 24 is the year.



p.s. I apologize for the over-sentimental, nostalgic-ish rant...But, it is MY blog after all :)

It is now September 18th

And, I realise I am WAY behind on blogging as I have been to...6-7 cities since my last post. Ouch. However, we have definitely been light on the internet connections and this one is super expensive.
I will update everything when I am back in Oxford...in TWO days!! I am such a scholar...as I am oh so freaking excited to start classes!!


Write soon!xx

Praha

So I spent 1.5 (somewhat glorious) days in Prague, Czech Republic and here is the update:

I say they were somewhat glorious because the first half of a day was horrendous. As I almost missed my train that morning, I definitely didn't have time to grab any food for the long train ride, but instead planned to sleep. Well, of course that didn't happen. No biggie, the thought of being in Prague was exciting enough to keep me going on the measly 3 hrs I was running on.
I had booked my hostel online, through the same company I've been using the entire trip. I got the email confirmation, only this one looked a little different. Oh well, I thought, and copied down the directions to the hostel. 'Leave the train station and walk straight to McDonalds.' Easy. Except, there was no Mcdonalds. None...nowhere. I walked up and down and all around the train station. I checked my directions...man, that really didn't sound like the name of the place I booked..but I had looked at so many, they were all a blur. I went back into the train station and asked at information. They looked at the hostel name without recognition and pointed me to the street they thought I needed. Said it was 800metres away and definitely walkable.
So I start walking and I get lost, of course...and then, after resting in the park scouring my book for any clues, I see it...a sign for a McDonalds. 300metres away! I'm saved!
No. 2.5 hours after I stepped off the train, I made it to the hostel. The hostel that had a different name, and a different address from what I had written and received via email. The hostel that I had thought I had picked. The hostel I was a mere 20 feet from 1.5hrs before I actually went inside. I was exhausted, I was starving, I was tired, I was whiny. Did I mention I did all this searching on foot? With my ginormous backpack and a small one too? Did I mention that in Krakow it was chilly and in Prague...it was HOT?
Needless to say I layed low that night. Bought food at the grocery store (my feet could not take any more walking) studied up on what to do the next day, and read.

The second day in Prague was great. Prague is beautiful and full of culture and history and I barely saw any of it. It will be the first place I go back to visit (well, Berlin might be first...). I took a FREE tour of the city for 3 hours, learning about the history, etc. Ate a delicious chicken caesar salad that cost me about 2.50euros, and maybe did a little shopping at H&M. I couldn't help myself...
I didn't have time to even go to Prague Castle. So seriously...I'm going back...soon. Please volunteer to accompany me!

Cracovia

So, I really havent been slacking on my blogging duties, I swear! I had this very nice, very long blog typed up the other night and then the electric went out and it was lost. Oh well... Heres my take on the epicness that is Krakow, Poland.

My first day there I arrived early so I threw my stuff in the hostel luggage room and hit the streets. I happened upon some sort of street fair complete with stands, food and music and dancing. It was so much fun and a great time to take in the old city--when it was alive!

The next day I took a tour to Auschwitz-Birkenau...I really still cannot describe this experience. It was moving, shocking, awe-inspiring. Im glad that I went with a group because I was able to see the highlights as Birkenau is MASSIVE and Auschwitz has so many little places filled with memorabila, etc. Oh, and a bird pooped on me...that was gross. Of course, seeing as I was at Auschwitz, a little bird poop--not that big a problem.

Tuesday was September 1st, the 70th anniversary of Germany invading Poland. I took a Jewish Heritage tour which encompassed an 11 km walk across Krakow. I saw so much and unfortunately, I had forgotten to charge my camera so I did not get as many pictures as I would have liked to. Oh well. We saw a few places used to film Schindlers List --side note, I cannot figure out how to use either parenthesis or apostrophes, so please forgive--which was super exciting! We also saw the real Oskar Schindler s factory.
That night, although I was planning to go to bed early in preparation for my 653am train ride, I was coaxed into going out with a lovely girl from Berlin, who is currently living in Poland. We went to club Kitsch, which is supposedly famous...? We went with a couple others from the hostel and I had a blast! Rolled back into the hostel around 330am and due to this lovely German girl I managed to get up at 620 and make my train! She came over, woke me up and I freaked...THANK YOU!

All in all, I really enjoyed Krakow. It was more of the Poland I pictured in my head. Definitely less commercial than Warsaw and very beautiful. I definitely want to go back...and this sounds crazy, but I kind of want to go in January --I think it was Jan 27-- for the Auschwitz memorial stuff....but Poland in winter? We will see!